Paraguay snatched a last-gasp 2-2 Copa America draw with favourites Argentina here Saturday to stun Lionel Messi and his star-studded team-mates.

A 90th-minute equaliser from Argentine-born striker Lucas Barrios completed a dramatic turnaround for the Paraguayans, who had trailed 2-0 at half-time after Argentina goals from Sergio Aguero and Messi.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino called the last minute shock a “sin” by his side, co-favourites to win the tournament with Brazil.

“This group is so tough that getting a draw in the last minute against Argentina is like a victory,” said Barrios, who plays for Montpellier in France.

“It looked tough as Argentina have so many players who can play with the ball, but we took advantage of their mistakes in the second half.

“We are excited because we want to be at the top, we want to taste success as we did in 2011, and and today was a positive step.” Paraguay reached the final at the last Copa, won by Uruguay.

Paraguay striker Nelson Valdez, who had started his team’s fightback with a stunning long-range goal, added: “Individually we are less than Argentina, but as a team we are better than them.

“We needed a slap in the face at half-time.”

Argentina looked in control of the Group B game for long periods but were forced onto the back foot in the second half when Paraguay threw all resources into the hunt for goals.

Paraguay were given a lifeline on 60 minutes Valdez lashed in a long-range effort to cut Argentina’s lead to 2-1.

Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero pulled off a series of saves to keep Paraguay at bay and it looked as if the Group B underdogs would be denied.

But with the final whistle looming, a long free kick from Nestor Ortigoza was headed by Paulo Da Silva into the path of Barrios, who swept home a low shot to leave Argentina in shock.

“We lost control and the other team had four or five chances to get a draw,” moaned Martino as he lambasted his side’s “neglect”.

“It is a sin” to give away an equaliser in the last minute, he added. “We had many chances to win.”

Martino said Argentina had been “totally different” in each half.

“I do not think we need to change anything. What we have to do is look back at the two games we played today.”

“That’s how the game goes sometimes,” goalkeeper Romero said after. “We could have scored more in the first half. We deserved to win.”

Argentina looked to be cruising after taking a 2-0 lead lead as they launched their quest for a first major title in 22 years.

Messi scored a 36th-minute penalty to give his team a two-goal cushion, moments after forcing the Paraguay mistake which led to Aguero’s opener.

Despite winning every honor in the game at club level, Messi has yet to taste success in a major international tournament in the blue and white shirt of his homeland.

Messi is determined to end that jinx in Chile, repeatedly stating that one of the most gifted generations of players Argentina has ever produced must crown their talent with a title.

The shock draw will have raised Argentine fears about another tournament disappointment.

Argentina face holders Uruguay in their second game on Tuesday.